The Honourable John McCallum - Re: Closures, Privatization and Deregulation (October 6, 2005)

The Honourable John McCallum
Minister Responsible for Canada Post
Connaught Building, 7th Floor South
555 MacKenzie Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A OL5

Dear Minister McCallum:


I am writing to let you know that you appear to have an incorrect understanding of what is happening at Canada Post.

On October 3, 2005, you told the House of Commons that "physical mail is becoming a thing of the past." You said "even grandmothers send birthday wishes electronically." Maybe so, but they send presents by mail. Many other individuals and groups also use the post office.

Contrary to your understanding, physical mail is not a thing of the past. You may be interested to know that volumes at Canada Post have not declined. Even lettermail volumes increased last year, although you would never know this by looking at Canada Post's information.

I would urge you to take a closer look at Canada Post's most recent annual report as well as the media release that was sent out in conjunction with this report. The media release said, "The reality is that Lettermail volumes are declining." The annual report said, "our costs are rising faster than our revenues." But both of these statements are contradicted by the volume and revenue figures provided by Canada Post in the annual report (see enclosed CUPW bulletin and page 75 of Canada Post's 2004 annual report).

The fact is that lettermail volumes are up and revenues have been rising faster than costs.

CUPW would like to request a meeting with you so that we can further explain what Canada Post is doing with its volume figures.


Yours truly,
Deborah Bourque
National President
Canadian Union of Postal Workers

Encl. (2)

c.c.:National Executive Board
Moya Greene, President, Canada Post Corporation
CUPW locals
Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Steven Harper, Leader of the Conservative Party
Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP
Bill Blaikie, MP
Odina Desrocher, MP
Brian Pallister, MP